Lowcountry Headlines

Raising $10,000 reward for information in North Charleston shootings

North Charleston - The 911 calls from three shootings on New Year's Day paint a terrifying picture of the first murders of 2014.

"She went to the door, somebody shot through the door!" screamed the caller from Aintree Drive. "I need help!!"

"Momma, momma, momma I love you," whispered the caller on Ventura Drive before the operator picked up the phone.

In North Charleston there have been eight shootings, resulting in two deaths of Janet Royal and Debra Randall Martin, and leaving countless people in grief.

The death of Martin is almost audible in the 911 tapes when her daughter said she stopped breathing and then begins to sob.

During a press conference Friday, North Charleston Police Chief Eddie Driggers he does believe the three on January 1 are related. Otherwise, he gave no details on the suspects or motives.

Tri County National Action Network's Elder James Johnson told News 2 it's time for the community to speak up and take back the streets.

"Help them. They ask for help. They want anybody with information leading to the arrests please, please speak up," Johnson said. "We will continue raising money to solve this crime because these people are very dangerous. They need to be off the street."

The network plans to raise $10,000 by the end of the week to give to anyone with information leading to an arrest in one of the two murders.

"I don't think the ladies had any connection with any kind of crime. If there were a baby behind that door that said 'who is it?' they would've shot and killed that baby also because they shot through the door, none of the doors was open," he said.

Chief Driggers said they have made arrests relating to other shootings.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 554-1111. You can also text a tip to CRIMES (274637).